KENYA: Mobile computer 'classsroom' visits slums

Record ID: 360994

  • Title: KENYA: Mobile computer 'classsroom' visits slums
  • Date: 16th April 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRIYA BUDHABHATTI, PROJECT DIRECTOR AT SILICON CRAFT FOUNDATION, SAYING: "When we came here we saw and understood the needs of these people. There are lots of people here who are less fortunate who had the initiative but have no access to colleges and schools. So, we thought of coming up with a foundation which is a mobile classroom with well-fitted c
  • Embargoed: 1st May 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Education
  • Reuters ID: LVA7D68HI5LXWWUWMNHSN5SS9MST
  • Story Text: Youths living in the most poverty-stricken areas of Kenya's capital Nairobi were learning new computer skills on Thursday (April 15) as a mobile computer school taught students in slums.
    Craft Silicon, a Kenyan non-governmental organisation (NGO) runs free courses on computer and Information Technology (IT) skills to youths in impoverished communities to make sure they are not left out on the wrong side of the digital divide.
    A 36-seater bus installed with 12 computers, internet connectivity and printers - all powered by solar panels - travels through seven of Nairobi's informal settlements with trained teachers offering classes to anyone who is interested.
    Eager students board the bus where they are taught in a classroom setting to use computers in a training programme that takes 8 weeks.
    Students are trained to use Microsoft Applications - namely windows, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and the Internet.
    "Computer and IT skills are very important in our generation, it is the in-thing and you must be computer literate. I'm here to learn just the basics so that I can be at par with my peers," said student Iddi Hassan.
    "All I want to know are basics because everywhere I go to look for work, they prefer these skills in an employee. With this I think I can at least operate a computer," said Mercy Wambui, another student.
    The project started six months ago and now has more than 600 students. Students who successfully complete their course are given certificates.
    Many graduates have either already been absorbed by the job market or are pursuing higher education.
    Priya Budhabhatti, the project director, said bringing the "school" to the slums offered more students an opportunity to benefit from the classes.
    "There are lots of people here who are less fortunate who had the initiative but have no access to colleges and schools. So, we thought of coming up with a foundation which is a mobile classroom with well-fitted computers inside, fast and reliable internet which all operates on a solar panel. We thought this was the best idea…to come here to them rather than them coming to the places where they can't afford to come," she said.
    Computers are a luxury in Kenya, where 56 percent of citizens live on less than a dollar a day.
    Budhabhatti says the project has limitless potential in improving livelihoods as it aims to reach all corners of the country.
    "We feel like creating opportunities for less fortunate people and working towards a more computer literate society - this world is going to be a better place," she said.
    Government figures indicate about 30 percent of adult Kenyans cannot read or write, which effectively excludes them from taking advantage of Information and Communications Technologies.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register